Dark Amour

by L A Kennedy

  He was Zy, not a Prince, not a Slayer. To her, he was just…Zy.

  He was the man who loved her more than life.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  One month later

  Zylan and Neri helped Sola-Nosfer rebuild, with the aid of the Therians, who would assist with guards until the Vampyres could restore their ranks. A treaty was struck between the Vampyres and the Therians. The Vampyres paid tribute to the Therians for their sacrifice. Therian territory, once taken by the King of Sola-Nosfer centuries ago, was restored, with interest. It was a start, and both sides were willing to build on it.

  Zylan took the crown, only to step down and give it to his mother, Queen Zylamon-Vhenom Bloodletting. She would rule, as she should, over a new dawn for her people. She, unlike Zylan, knew what changes needed to be made, in order for their people to flourish. She knew of the abuses that had occurred against the women of Sola-Nosfer. Those who did not agree would be banished from their lands.

  Zylan was proud of his mother’s actions. Her first order had been to abolish the traditions of forced marriage and the Vestal Virgyns. Those who wished to remain could do so of their own free will, but this would never again be by force. Their training would no longer include how to accept abuse. In fact, they would be trained in self-defense. They would be schooled in subjects that would help their community, not just their mate. Vestal Virgyns would be given options to go to school, to earn degrees, to learn of the world. They would never again be shut in, like caged animals. They were no longer seen as objects. They were beings. They had souls, and they would receive the same honor as everyone else.

  The queen’s second order of business had been that any act of violence or degradation inflicted upon another being would be seen as an act against the throne, against the queen herself, and punishable by death. There would be no tolerance for suffering. And anyone who witnessed it and did nothing would carry the same blame.

  The queen had made these announcements with Zylan and the rest of her children at her side, the Therians behind them. His mother had held a hammer with a hammerhead almost as large as her own head. With a swing, she’d smashed a hole into the side of the tomb. Zylan had had no idea that she was so strong. The tomb was to come down, and the pieces used to tile a fountain, in memory of each Vestal Virgyn who had been entombed. Sola-Nosfer would never again entomb a member of their society. These acts that the queen had referred to as barbaric would never again be allowed within their city. His mother had also formed a special sisterhood, led by Amity, whose job was to seek out those in the world who’d suffered. The suffering would be offered sanctuary within the walls of Sola-Nosfer. Zylan couldn’t think of a better person to head up this new sisterhood than Amity.

  Zylan was most pleased that according to his mother’s mandate, those who were still alive from the council who had fled during the battle, leaving the rest behind, were removed from council rule. They had taken oaths upon taking their seats. They’d sworn that they would faithfully execute all that the king commanded, that they would never desert Sola-Nosfer or its people and that they would not seek to avoid death. Instead, they’d run and had left the women and children to fend for themselves.

  Zylan and Neri had stood and watched the tryhal of Garm, for his acts against Sola-Nosfer, then the acts against the mate of their Prince. Neri had tried to have that charge removed, but the queen would not hear of it. Any act, such as the acts ravaged upon her body or any other body, would be met with death. Garm hadn’t begged for his life until he’d stood on deck with a noose around his neck. It was there that he’d tried to bargain. He would give them Strain. But he’d not been spared. He was hanged in the town square for all to see. Zylan was proud that his mother would show no mercy to anyone who came against the crown or against those she loved. The point was well made.

  His mother the queen, once seen as a meek victim, had a voice, and you’d be damned to ignore it. No one grieved the king. He’d been a bastard, and everyone knew it. A small funeral was held within the queen’s chambers. Although he was a bastard, the queen still held it. Because to her, he still deserved this honor, for he gave her children. For that reason alone, she honored his ugly soul.

  * * * *

  “I think I’m going to be sick. Please don’t let me puke on the queen,” Neri grumbled, pressing the palm of her hand into her chest. She looked out of the small window. The grounds of Sola-Nosfer were crawling with Therians, guarding her special day, her wedding day. All but one were there. Only Bane was inside. She wouldn’t let him miss this day, not after all he’d done. The Slayers were her honored guests, as were the Therians.

  Zander smiled as he watched her pace back and forth. “If it makes you feel any better, I passed out. I was overheating, nervous and collapsed. I cracked my face on the stairs and broke my nose. We got married with gauze shoved up each of my nostrils. Thankfully, we were in Vegas, and it didn’t matter. Our wedding pictures show Evil holding me up, blood dripping down my face.”

  Neri laughed, picturing it in her mind. “You didn’t get married here?”

  “Oh hell no. We went to Vegas. Zy was footing the bill. We lived it up and blew twenty grand on the slots.”

  “I bet he was thrilled.”

  Zander shrugged, a small smile slowly forming. “He didn’t care, really. He wanted us to do what we wanted to do and screw the rest. He’s always been that way with me and my sisters. Whatever makes us happy. He wanted us to do it, and he’d suffer the wrath of my father.”

  Neri stepped forward, touching his hand. “I’m sorry about your father.”

  Zander laughed. “Don’t be. On my tenth birthday, my mother allowed me to have a small party. Man, I was so excited—my first real party. She was beaten in the town square until she could no longer stand. I didn’t know it was happening. I was partying it up with my friends, while my mother was almost killed for that party. I hated him.”

  Sid poked his head into the back room, dressed in a suit. “Ready to rock, Doc?”

  Neri gave a nod. “How do I look?”

  Neri stood in the same wedding gown her mother had worn, her hanbok, sheer white top and deep purple dress, with gold accents at the waist and wrists, with a long gold ribbon down the back. Her hair was pulled up in a tight twist with little purple flowers on the side. Her feet poked out to show her deep purple slippers.

  Sid stepped into the room with one of the kinder smiles she’d seen him sport. He lifted her hands and placed a kiss in each palm.

  “You’re breathtaking, straight from the bosom of Elysium, touched by the Orygin and blessed by each Watchyr. Zylan will swim in your beauty for all time and be nourished by your love for him,” Sid whispered into her palms. He looked up with a wink. “In other words, Doc, you’re hot as fuck. My man Zy is going to shit his pants when he sees you.”

  Neri grinned, rolling her eyes. “Sid, you say the most beautiful things.”

  Sid revealed his usual lecherous grin then placed her hand on Zander’s arm. “I do my best.”

  Sid stepped into the hall that was laced with the finest of white silks. Letting out a small whistle, he cued the music.

  “Thank you, Zander, for doing this for me.” Neri felt her eyes tingle.

  “I am honored to walk you down the aisle. Your father would have been here if he could have, but I tell ya, he’s watching you now, and I know he’s proud.”

  Sid poked his head back into the room. “Come on, already. It’s an open bar. Open fucking bar. Remember what I said. Run down the aisle, toss your flowers at some single chick, scream yes, grab the pen then sign your name. I’ll meet you at the bar with shooters. Ten minutes, tops.”

  With a smile and a deep breath, Zander led her out and into the hall of the banquet room. The room was filled with people, hundreds looking at her. The walls were covered in white silks, small twinkling lights and thousands of candles hanging from the ceiling. Soft music carried her from the back of the room to Zylan. At the front stood the queen and to her
left stood Amity, who didn’t try to hide her happiness. With an ear-to-ear smile and eyes glittering with tears, Amity gave Neri an approving nod.

  * * * *

  Zylan watched his future walk toward him. She radiated beauty and promise. Once her eyes had found his, he watched the calmness flow into her shoulders, and she raised her chin a few inches. A soft smile formed on her face and melted his heart. He lifted his hand and pointed at his watch.

  He mouthed. “Come on. You’re almost late.”

  She gave him a playful look, running her hands down her body. She whispered, knowing he would hear her, “Shut it. This shit takes time, asshole.”

  She failed to realize the entire room would hear her words. Small giggles carried over the music. Zylan laughed. He took in every detail of her, which only added to her beauty. The closer she got to him, the more rubbery his legs felt.

  “I’ll catch you,” Neri whispered, stepping up to his side. Zander placed her hand in Zylan’s.

  The moment they touched, he was rock-solid steady. They both turned to Zylan’s mother. Her face was pure happiness. She no longer governed her emotions. If she wanted to cry, she did. If she wanted to laugh, you could hear her for miles. She dabbed her eyes and gave them both an approving nod.

  The ceremony lasted almost an hour, most of it a blur to Zylan. He kept zoning out on Neri, both of them lost in each other. Every few minutes they’d each receive a nudge, bringing them back to the ceremony.

  Finally, it was over. Amity stepped from the front, smiling, holding a white silk ribbon to bind the new lovers together. Zylan’s right hand was bound to Neri’s left. The queen used a small blade and dragged it across the unbound hands, their blood dropping onto the white silk. With blood, they were bound.

  “Come here, beautiful,” Zylan drawled, pulling Neri into his body, kissing her harder than ever before.

  The room erupted with clapping. But before Zylan could drag Neri off, Neri paused. Zander came to the front with a small white box. Neri knelt in front of the queen, lifting the box with her one free hand.

  “Please accept this token, a show of the children to come,” Neri spoke with a shaking voice.

  The queen lifted Neri to her feet, her eyes watering. “Never kneel at my feet again. You are a being, not an object of lesser value.”

  The queen opened the box, smiling. Zylan was lost as to why she would smile at a box of dates and chestnuts. Zander leaned in, filling him in on Neri and her Korean wedding traditions—how the bride offered these to the groom’s parents as symbols of children. The parents then threw them at the bride, who tried to catch them in her wedding dress.

  Neri stepped back, taking her mate with her, still bound at the wrist. She lifted one side of her dress and Zylan grabbed the other, smiling. The queen threw the dates and chestnuts, laughing and smiling. They caught three.

  He would never forget the smile on his mother’s face or the laughter of his mate. Moving through the room, he couldn’t hear anyone else, only her laughter. He saw nothing but her face.

  Through the reception, he was in a daze. They laughed. They sang. They danced. They ate. They drank, and they would love. Carrying her from the banquet hall, he kissed her with every step he took. Into the bedroom they shared at Sola-Nosfer, he placed her on the bed. He moved through the candlelit room, bringing back her favorite night clothes and turning his back, still smiling.

  “This is the happiest day of my life,” Zylan spoke, telling her how much he loved her and how he would honor her.

  “I’m ready,” Neri called out, as she usually did once she’d changed.

  Zylan turned, still grinning, and froze. His jaw dropped wide open, and his eyes were threatening to roll from his head. Neri wasn’t in her night clothes. She was in the middle of the bed in a small white lace bra and panties, stockings landing mid-thigh. She’d pulled her hair down, letting it fall in waves around her shoulders. The grin on her face staggered him.

  Zylan grabbed onto one of the posts of the bed, staring.

  Neri got up and crawled toward him on her hands and knees. When she got to him, she climbed up the front of his body, pulling his face to hers.

  “Please, Neri, wait,” Zylan whispered, his throat dry and instantly hoarse. “Are you sure? I mean… We don’t have to do this. I am content with never doing this. I never have to touch you that way.”

  “Come here already.” Neri giggled. “I want you, husband. Now.”

  Zylan swallowed hard, taking in a deep breath. He staggered again, clutching the post. “I think I’m going to pass out.”

  Neri started to laugh until she saw his eyes roll into the back of his head. His feet went from under him, but instead of going backward, he came forward, like a sack of potatoes. His forehead smashed into Neri’s nose. A loud crack echoed throughout the room. Zylan was on the floor, and Neri was on her back, blood pouring from her nose.

  Rolling off the bed, she yelled for help. She knew Bane would be close. He was always close. Bane swung the door open, gun drawn, with the rest of the Slayers behind him.

  “Where are they?” Bane screamed, scanning the room, looking for the bad guys. The rest of the Slayers fanned out, yelling for whoever was in the room to come out.

  Cael ran to Neri’s side, lifting her up. “Who did this to you?”

  Zylan was laughing on the floor, “Oh my God. Zander is going to love this.”

  Neri started to laugh. “Zy passed out. He landed on my face.”

  Zander’s laughter could’ve been heard all the way to the city center. He staggered into the room, holding a bottle of champagne, laughing until he made no sound.

  “I love it. I so fucking love it.” Zander cackled. “Sorry, Neri, but this is absolutely hilarious.”

  Ester, drunk as a skunk, was still damn good at triage. Thankfully, Neri’s nose wasn’t broken, just bruised. The room emptied, leaving Neri and Zylan alone again.

  “How about you lie down. I’ll clean up. I don’t think you should be standing when I come out.” Neri laughed.

  Zylan grabbed her hand. “Neri, you’re hurt. Why don’t we wait?”

  Neri knelt in front of him, lifting his head. “What’s this about, Zy? Do you not want to make love? I wouldn’t force you. You can say no to me. I love you and support you if you’re not feeling comfortable with this.”

  Zylan let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want to hurt you. I’m scared. I’m scared to do something that’ll make you feel like you’re back in the bad place. I don’t want you to hate me. I don’t want to hate myself. I don’t want you to leave me. The list is long, Neri. But most of all, I don’t want to ruin this or how you feel with me.”

  Neri lifted up, kissing his lips. “You would never hurt me, Zy. It may be uncomfortable at first, but that has nothing to do with hurt. Be there with me, completely, and there will never be a bad place. Make love to me. Give me new memories. Give me pleasure, and it will never be ruined.”

  “Swear to me, right now, that you’ll tell me to stop when you want me to stop. Swear you will do that, or I can’t.”

  Neri stood, kissing his forehead. “I swear to you, but I know you. You would stop the moment you thought I needed to. You know me, Zy, just like I know you. Now, strip and wait—but not on your feet. I think you’d rip my nose completely off next time.”

  Her laughter filled the room as she walked away. He did as she had asked. His clothes were on the floor, his shirt destroyed from trying to get it off before unbuttoning it. He waited.

  He’d never been this nervous before. When he heard the water turn off, he was glad to be sitting down. Fumbling, he turned on the iPod and speaker system that sat on the table beside the bed, flooding the room with soft classical music. The sound was enough to keep him from crawling out of his skin.

  “Are you ready?” Neri called from the bathroom, sticking her leg out of the door, showing from foot to thigh.

  “Yes… Yes, I’m ready,” Zylan whispered, trying to speak up.

&nbs
p; Neri poked her head out of the door and winked. She stepped out in a little black sheer nightgown that hung just over her rear. Her little black lace panties covered less than tooth floss would have covered.

  She moved up the foot of the bed, yanking the covers off him. He placed his hands over his groin, instinctively. She kissed up his legs to his thighs and pulled at his hands. Reluctantly, he let his hands fall to the side. Even soft, he knew he was large.

  “Wow.” Neri blushed.

  Zylan tried to cover himself again.

  She grinned and pushed his hands away. “Challenge accepted.”

  Zylan flinched when Neri’s mouth closed around him. She licked from base to head. He closed his eyes and gripped the sheets in his fists. It was unbelievable, the pleasure he felt from her in a split second.

  With him growing in her mouth, she pushed her head down for one more long stroke. He knew that once he grew to full length, she’d never be able to deep throat him. She came up and slowly worked him with her mouth and hand.

  “Wait. I won’t last. Wait, please,” Zylan stuttered, pulling her up by the shoulder.

  Neri climbed onto his hips, kissing his mouth. “We have tonight and tomorrow and the next day and the next. It doesn’t matter, Zy.”

  “Please.” Zylan moaned into her mouth. “My turn?”

  Neri giggled, nodding. He lifted her with one arm, twisting her around and setting her onto the bed. He knelt between her legs and pulled her down by her ankles onto her back. Slowly, he hooked his thumbs under her panties, keeping his eyes on hers. She chewed her lower lip, nodding again and lifting her hips to help him.

  He tossed them onto the floor in the middle of the scattered buttons from his ripped shirt, and he sighed. She opened her legs more, exposing her exquisiteness to him. She was perfect, so unbelievably perfect.

  He lifted each leg, kissing her toes and feet, making her giggle and squirm. He kissed up each leg, flicking his tongue on the backs of her knees. He honored her body. He worshiped her, as any good mate should.